However, little is known regarding the direct association between childhood exposure to ETS and the development of COPD. The main objective of the present study was to examine the associations between childhood ETS exposure and PF-03084014 in vitro adult COPD and respiratory symptoms.
Methods: Patients
with COPD (n = 433) and control subjects (n = 325) participated in the Bergen COPD Cohort Study during 2006-2009. Participants performed spirometry and answered extensive questionnaires. The risk factors for COPD, morning cough, cough with phlegm, chronic cough and dyspnoea were examined using logistic regression analysis. Analyses were stratified by gender.
Results: The prevalence of childhood exposure to ETS was 61%. After adjustment, women who were exposed to ETS during childhood had a higher risk of COPD than those who were not exposed: odds ratio 1.9, 95% confidence interval 1.0, 3.7. Other important predictors for COPD and respiratory symptoms among women were occupational dust exposure (COPD), family history of COPD (COPD, all
symptoms), current exposure to ETS in the home (morning cough) and education (COPD, dyspnoea). ETS exposure during childhood was associated with respiratory symptoms among males (odds ratios 1.5-1.7). Risk factors MLN2238 manufacturer for COPD among men were occupational dust exposure, family history of COPD and level of education. Occupational dust exposure and family ATM/ATR inhibitor history of COPD also predicted dyspnoea among males.
Conclusions:
Exposure to ETS during childhood was associated with COPD and respiratory symptoms in adulthood. Although active smoking is still the most important risk factor for COPD, reduction of childhood ETS exposure could contribute to the prevention of COPD and respiratory symptoms.”
“OBJECTIVE: To analyse the extent of drug resistance in clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from patients attending various tuberculosis (TB) clinics in Kerala, India.
DESIGN: Mycobacteria were isolated from sputum samples of TB patients. Isolates from 92 new and 104 retreatment cases were tested for resistance to four first-line drugs (isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol and streptomycin).
RESULTS: Twenty-three per cent of the isolates from new cases and 14% from retreatment cases were pan-susceptible, and the rest were resistant to at least one of the drugs. Multidrug-resistant isolates accounted for 5.4% among new cases and 16.4% among retreatment cases. It should be noted that 18.5% of the isolates were mycobacteria other than tuberculosis.
CONCLUSION: There is an urgent need for statewide surveys to assess the level of drug resistance using quality-assured culture and drug susceptibility services.